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LITERATURE

Author Stig Claesson dies

Swedish author Stig Slas Claesson has died, aged 79.

The author, usually known simply as Slas, was perhaps best known for his portrayal of the Swedish countryside.

His 1968 book ‘Vem Älskar Yngve Frej’ (‘Who loves Yngve Frej’) became known as a classic portrayal of the conflict between Sweden’s cities and countryside, and illustrated the huge changes in the rural way of life in the mid-twentieth century. The book was filed for television in 1973 and was adapted for the stage in the 1990s.

Born in Stockholm in 1928, Slas started out as an illustrator. He later turned to the written word, initially writing about his travels abroad, but later turning his attention to Stockholm.

Claesson produced around 80 books during his career. He continued writing until late in life, with the book ‘God Natt Fröken Ann’ (‘Goodnight, Miss Ann’) published in 2006.

He received a number of honours, including an honorary doctorate from Uppsala University and the Selma Lagerlöf Foundation’s literature prize.

Claesson died at home in Stockholm on Friday, his son told news agency TT.